The BHPA Pilot Rating Scheme has been devised to encourage pilots to progress their personal flying skills and to provide a quick and simple means of indicating their proficiency level to others. There is one 'progress award' for you to complete, and then three 'ratings' proper.
This is awarded by your school during your training to mark the successful completion of the introductory stage, and to indicate your suitability to undertake the further school training required to gain your first rating.
This marks the end of your formal instruction and qualifies you to leave the school and fly within BHPA member clubs. Still a relative novice, as you continue to perfect your skills you should seek advice and guidance from Coaches while you work towards your Pilot rating.
Now you can consider yourself a fully-qualified pilot in the true sense of the word. You will possess well-rounded skills and abilities, along with enough experience to know how and when to exercise them! You should hold this rating before embarking on cross-country flights.
This is a rating for the above average pilot who is a total master of his or her craft and enjoying to the full the challenges the sport can offer.
The International Pilot Proficiency Information Card provides a standard reference by which all national rating programs may be compared. When you travel abroad this card, together with your BHPA membership/rating card, gives flying site managers, instructors and others responsible for hang gliding and/or paragliding flight operations an easy way of verifying your pilot experience level prior to approval of flight activities.
To learn how your BHPA pilot rating is converted into the equivalent IPPI Safe Pro Para and/or Safe Pro Delta rating, please visit our Flying Abroad page.
Last updated: 24 February 2025
